Adjustable display device having a lustrous portion



9cm UH n00 2&1019683 Dec. 7, 1937.

N. J. LEIGH ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING A LUSTROUS PORTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1937 INVENTOR,

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N. J. LEIGH Dec. 7, 1937.

ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING A LUSTROUS PORTION Filed Feb. 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, Josqblble Z ORNEY.

Mama ('4 Y Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES uuul uu HUU PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING A LUSTROUS PORTION Nathan Joseph Leigh, Great Neck, N. Y., assignor to Einson-Freeman 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1937, Serial No. 124,396

7 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display devices, and has particular reference to an improved cardboard knock-down display device.

My invention is primarily directed toward a display in which there is a depiction of a lightemanating thing or phenomenon. Thus, by way of example, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a display in which there is a depiction of flames.

One feature of my invention resides in a novel and unusually effective manner of creating such a depiction. superposing a series of cardboard blanks, those in back being successively covered only in part by those in front, so that a sort of stepped overlapping relationship is produced. Each of the exposed forward faces of the blanks is composed of lustrous material. Admirably adapted for this purpose is colored metallic foil. By a judicious selection of varying colors, and by a proper contouring and assembly of the several cardboard blanks, the depiction of the desired character may be produced.

Another feature of my invention lies in the provision of an adjustable supporting means for the panel which carries the lustrous material. A display device of the present type is designed for use in a store window or the like, and the display is created with a full knowledge of the fact that it will be illuminated by an artificial source of light arranged in the store window, usually at a point above the display device. Lustrous material, such as colored metallic foil, is of lightreflective character, but it manifests this quality to maximum advantage only if it is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the source of illumination. Accordingly, my invention provides an easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous material, and a novel means for adjustably supporting the display panel on the easel so that the lustrous material may be brought into maximum light-reflective relationship to the source of illumination.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a display device embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross- Briefly, the result is accomplished by 7 sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure3;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the lustrous depiction;

Figure 6 is a. side view of the device shown in substantially collapsed or knocked-down condition;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail of construction; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the present device shown from the rear.

I have chosen for illustration a display device in which an easel I is formed of a single blank of cardboard having a medial portion l I, sides l2, and reinforcing flanges I3. The blank is suitably cut out during manufacture to provide the integral bracing element [4 which may be swung into the operative position shown most clearly in Figures 2, 3, and 4, or which may be collapsed into the plane of the medial portion ll, of which it forms a part.

Secured to the medial portion H is the background display panel IS on which any suitable or desired advertising material may be placed. The background panel i is not an essential part of the present structure, but where it is used it is preferably of a size sufficient to conceal the easel in its entirety when the device is viewed from the front.

Adjustably supported on the easel is the display panel l6 which I have shown in the form of a cardboard blank contoured and ornamented to represent the figure of a diving girl. This panel includes the depiction ll of a light-emanating phenomenon such as the flames ll. This depiction is produced in the manner most clearly shown in Figure 5. Secured to the rear of the blank l6 are a series of superposed cardboard blanks I 8, those in the back being successively covered, only in part, by those in the front, so that the overlapping relationship is produced as shown in Figure 5. The various blanks l8 are suitably contoured to produce the desired effect, and where the phenomenon depicted is a series of flames, the blanks l8 have the serrated contours shown in the drawings. The forward exposed faces of the blanks l8 are made of lustrous material, preferably colored metallic foil, and the different blanks l8 have faces of differing colors, the same being judiciously selected and arranged to simulate flames.

In accordance with my invention, the display panel I8 is adjustably supported in front of the background panel l5, and in a manner which permits the display panel I6 to be arranged at differing inclinations, as indicated by dot-anddash lines in Figure 2.

In the embodiment herein illustrated, this adjustablemounting is produced by mounting collapsible hinging elements l9 between the panels l6 and I5, by providing a rearwardly extendible tongue 20 on the panel l6, and by providing a suitable keeper 2| in association with the easel.

More particularly, it will be observed that the panel l5 and the medial portion H of the easel are provided with registering openings 22, and that the panel l5 has an upwardly projecting portion or tab which I have designated as the keeper 2|. The opening 22 in the easel I is preferably the opening which is left when the bracing member I4 is swung rearwardly into operative position.

The tongue 20 is secured to the back of the panel l6 by adhesive means, as indicated at 23, and is provided with a series of openings 24, any one of which is adapted to engage over the keeper 2|.

The collapsible hinging elements iii are of unique character, and one of them is most clearly illustrated in Figure 7. It consists of a strip of cardboard scored to provide four hinged portions 25, 26, 21, and 28. The portion 25 is adhesively secured to the back of the panel I6; and the portion 21 is adhesively secured to the front of the panel l5. When the parts are in operative set-up condition, the portion 28 extends obliquely forwardly into the angle (designated 29) between the portions 25 and 26. This braces the structure and provides a pivotable mounting at the edge 29. In other words, the panel I6 is supported at a slight distance in front of the panel l5, and may be swung around the hinge axis coinciding with the edge 29.

When the device is collapsed, the portions l5 and I6 may be brought into superposed relation, as shown in Figure 6, by virtue of the fact that the portions 26 and 21 of" the hinging element may be brought into alignment.

In the collapsed condition of the device, the easel is, of course, swung into its fiat condition, and the tongue 20 extends obliquely upwardly through the easel, as indicated in Figure 6, whereby the entire device may ultimately be stacked, shipped, or packed in a substantially flat knocked-down condition.

When the device is to be used, the easel is first set up; the panel I6 is then brought forward until the hinging elements assume the positions shown in Figures 2 and '7; and one of the openings 24 is temporarily engaged with the keeper 2|. This is all that is necessary in order to adjust the device from its collapsed to its set-up condition. The device is then placed in the show window, or wherever it is to be used, at the location which it is to occupy. The position of the device having first been determined, the tongue 20 is released from the keeper 2|, and the display panel I6 is gradually swung into varying inclinations, as indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Figure 2. At a particular inclination, depending upon the location of the display device and its relative arrangement with respect to the source of illumiis brought into engagement with the keeper 2| and the device is then ready for use.

If it is necessary or desirable to change the location of the display device, another adjustment of the display panel may be necessary in order to impart to the lustrous portion of the display its maximum light-reflective ability.

When properly set up and properly adjusted, the display device is of unique attention-arresting quality. For example, in connection with the particular display illustrated in the present drawings, a person passing a show window will have his attention strikingly drawn to the present display because of the attractive glare of the lustrous portion. This highly desirable result would not be achieved if the display panel were not at the correct inclination with respect to the source of light illuminating the device.

From certain aspects, the invention is not restricted to the association of the display panel with an easel, since it may be desirable, under certain circumstances, to produce a novel lustrous depiction of the present character in connection with a panel which is independently supported or braced by other means.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the depiction of flames, while itself unique in character and mode of production, is merely typical of the possibilities of the present invention. Other things or phenomena of light-emanating quality may be the subject of displays constructed in accordance with the present invention.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a cardboard display device of the character described, an easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material, and means for adjustably supporting the display panel on the easel at varying inclinations, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device.

2. In a cardboard display device of the character described, an easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material, and means for adjustably supporting the display panel on the easel at varying inclinations, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device, said means comprising a keeper supported by the easel, and a tongue carried by the display panel and having a series of portions any one of which is adapted to be engaged with said keeper.

3. In a cardboard display device 01' the character described, an easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material, means for adjustably supporting the display panel on the easel at varying inclinations, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device, and means for collapsing the easel and display panel into flat superposed relationship, said last-named means comprising collapsible hinging elements between the display panel and the easel.

Z. In a cardboard display device of the character described, an easel, a background panel secured to the easel, a display panel consisting i0. CARD, PICTURE, AND SIGN EXHiBi iii-G,

at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material, and means for adjustably supporting the display panel in front of the background panel and at varying inclinations to the latter, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device.

5. In a cardboard display device of the character described, an easel, a background panel secured to the easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material, means for adjustably supporting the display panel in front of the background panel and at varying inclinations to the latter, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device, and means for collapsing said easel, background panel, and display panel into flat superposed relationship.

6. In a cardboard display device of the character described, an easel", a background panel secured to the easel, a display panel consisting at least in part of lustrous light-reflecting material,

means for adjustably supporting the display panel in front of the background panel and at varying inclinations to the latter, so that said lustrous material may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device, and means for collapsing said easel, background panel, and display panel into flat superposed relationship, said last-named means comprising collapsible hinging elements between the display panel and the background panel.

'7. In a cardboard display device, an easel, a display panel comprising at least in part a de piction of a light-emanating thing or phenomenon, said depiction being produced by a series of superposed cardboard blanks having overlapping edges and exposed faces of lustrous metallic foil of differing colors, and means for adjustably supporting the display panel on the easel at varying inclinations, so that said lustrous faces may be brought into maximum reflective relation to the source of light illuminating the device.

NATHAN JOSEPH LEIGH. 

